Chemical and Pharmacological Properties of Dehydroleucodine, A Lactone isolated from Artemisia douglasiana Besser

Plant medicines have commonly been used in basic health care in many countries throughout the centuries. One of the fairly well documented preparations in Argentinean traditional medicine is an infusion of the leaves of Artemisia douglasiana Besser, popularly known as ‘matico’. Dehydroleucodine, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Artemisia douglasiana Besser, prevents gastrointestinal damage in response to necrosisinducing agents in a dose-dependent manner. The mechanisms of action of dehydroleucodine, confirmed by biochemical and morphological studies, are mainly related to the ability of the drug to stimulate mucus production and to inhibit pro-inflammatory mediator release from mast cells. The purpose of this review, based on studies from our laboratory as well as from others, is to summarize salient features of the ethnobotany of Artemisia douglasiana Besser, as well as the chemistry, pharmacology and mechanisms involved in the cytoprotective action of dehydroleucodine. It may be expected that the lactone will be a promising drug in the treatment of disease processes involving the gastrointestinal tract, such as peptic ulcer and food hypersensitivity.